Remulla vows to push disclosure of SALNs if named Ombudsman
IF APPOINTED Ombudsman, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he would allow access to government officials’ statements of assets and liabilities (SALN) as long as it will not be used to harass them.
In a press briefing after his interview with the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Tuesday, Remulla said SALNs should not be “weaponized” against public officials.
Discayas’ 10 luxury cars missing
Only 3 vehicles found during Customs search in Pasig property
By Vito Barcelo
ONLY three luxury cars were found by Customs agents inside the compound of the Discaya-owned St. Gerrard Construction in Barangay Bambang, Pasig City during a search of the property yesterday.
At about past 6 p.m. yesterday,
The search warrant covered 12 of the 28 luxury cars that the Discayas admitted to owning during Monday’s Senate hearing on questionable floodcontrol projects.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said only two cars – a Maserati and a Toyota Land Cruiser – out of the 12 vehicles covered by the search were found inside the compound where contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya reside.
Dizon to halt DPWH internal probe on infra mess
By Vito Barcelo, Charles Dantes and Ram Superable
PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon said he will dissolve the department’s internal probe into anomalous flood control projects to allow the independent commission being formed by the President to take the lead in the investigation.
vestigate
“I will dissolve the DPWH internal investigation committee,” he said in a television interview.
“I do not believe an
Tricomm probe panel ordered to declare any conflict of interest
THE House Infra Committee ordered its members Tuesday to disclose if they had any conflict of interest in the joint panel’s investigation into alleged questionable flood control projects.
Before the inquiry began, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno moved for House Infra Comm members to “make a full disclosure of financial, business or pecuniary interest that may be directly or indirectly affected by any investigation into the government’s past or present flood control projects.”
“I believe we need to assure the public that this investigation will not be a whitewash and that no members of the three committees conducting this investigation have a conflict of interest,” Diokno said. His motion was seconded by Representatives Leila de Lima and
Edgar Erice.
“When the House of Representatives investigates anomalies in flood control projects, we must ask: is it wise, is it prudent, is it proper for this Chamber to investigate itself, when there are already reports that some members here may be involved in these very projects?” De Lima said.
“Conflict of interest here is not theoretical. It is not distant. It is real, and it will shape how this inquiry is seen or perceived. Where one is most probably the subject of the investigation, or is likely and liable to be a suspect, or has a personal interest of not being punished himself as an outcome of the investigation, he should not be part of the investigation,” she added.
By Charles Dantes
By Charles Dantes
FIELD WORK. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and other medical personnel, let photo, check on a patient confined yesterday at the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga City. Inset shows the President pushing the button at the launch of the HD Hyundai Shipyard
‘P6.7b
released for health workers’
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released a total of PHP6.767 billion to cover the payment of Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances (PHEBA) of medical workers.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the release of funds, which will cover a total of 1,411,546 PHEBA claims from 2021 to 2023 from local government units and private health facilities, state universities, and other institutions in the country.
The fund was charged against the Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP) under the Unpro -
grammed Appropriations of 2025 General Appropriations Act, the DBM said.
To recall, the national government authorized the grant of benefits and compensation to healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) who rendered service during the state of public health emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The DBM allotted and released to the Department of Health (DOH) a total of
PHP121.325 billion to fund the Special Risk Allowance, Health Emergency Allowance or One Covid-19 Allowance, Covid-19 Sickness and Death Compensation, and other benefits like meal, accommodation, and transportation allowances.
In 2024, the DOH requested additional funds amounting to PHP27.453 billion to fully cover the requirements of the PHEBA program.
The DOH, however, presented an updated request for additional funds amounting to PHP6.727 billion during the monthly economic managers’ meeting on Feb. 17, 2025.
Pangandaman called on the DOH to expedite the distribution of the health
benefits and allowances of HCWs and non-HCWs.
“If you recall, we released more than PHP27 billion to cover what the DOH declared as the balance in the HEA. In total, the DBM released more than PHP121 billion to pay the PHEBA of our healthcare and nonhealthcare workers last year,” Pangandaman said.
“This latest release po, amounting to PHP6.767 billion is in line with the updated request of DOH. Alinsunod din po ito sa utos sa ating ng ating Pangulo na ‘wag pabayaan ang ating mga health workers (It is also in line with the order of our President not to neglect our health workers),” she added.
Venice univ opens PH language, culture course
By Katrina Manubay
“No one should be a judge in their case,” De Lima said.
House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said she respects the views of Diokno and De Lima but warned that she was worried “that the oversight powers of Congress will be clipped in the guise of conflict of interest.” Still, with no objection from joint panel members, the House Infra Comm approved Diokno’s motion.
Earlier, tensions flared at the hearing as Representatives Janette Garin and Toby Tiangco exchanged words during interpellations on the motion to invite former Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co. Tiangco questioned how a congressman can be a resource person and testify under oath amid allegations of lawmakers involved in the anomaly. He then alleged that Co’s 2025 budget insertions at the bicam amounted to over P13 billion.
The House Infra Comm gave its members five working days to submit to their respective committees a written disclosure on conflict of interest with the probe, if they have any.
Meanwhile, Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the flood control scam now hogging the public limelight did not appear out of thin air but could be traced back to questionable budget insertions made during the Duterte administration. He warned that years of unchecked practices had allowed ghost and substandard projects to proliferate nationwide.
“The anomalies in the national infrastructure projects shared by the President himself and some government officials have been a hot topic in recent weeks.
The names of contractors who were repeatedly awarded flood control projects came out—projects that later proved to be ghost projects or had low-quality construction, or contractors who were undercapitalized but were awarded large projects,” said Chua, chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and co-chair of the Infra-Comm, during his opening statement at the inquiry.
Chua said the controversy was not born overnight but stemmed from long-standing practices of budget insertions that proliferated during the Duterte years, creating an environment where anomalies thrived unchecked. He reminded colleagues that the Commission on Audit (COA), in reports from 2017 to 2020, had flagged thousands of projects that were either delayed, defective, or never implemented at all, costing the public hundreds of billions of pesos.
“In 2018, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) also reported the involvement of several major contractors in flood control projects that were either delayed or left unfinished,” he noted.
“I think that’s the most important thing. The SALN should not be used for vilification purposes. It should not be used for blackmail. The problem here is people can be kidnapped if you reveal what is there, so we have to be careful about this information,” he said.
“But it can be done if it is an investigative report, if it is something that is being done by government agencies, it can be done. We can provide
THE Consulate General of the Philippines in Milan and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice established a new Philippine studies program through the signing of a donation agreement, facilitated by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Office of Cultural Diplomacy, on August 26.
This initiative launches the new course “Introduction to Philippine Languages and Culture” under the BA program in Languages, Cultures, and Societies of Asia and North Africa. The course offers a fundamental overview of the Philippines’ diverse languages,
rich history, and vibrant culture, while offering insights into its politics, economy, and society.
In his remarks, Consul General Jim Tito San Agustin said the program aims to share Philippine languages, culture, and heritage while promoting cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
For her part, Department of Asian and North African Studies head and professor Laura de Giorgi likewise noted the growing interest in the Philippines among students, as well as the program’s contribution to enriching the university’s curriculum.
Founded in 1868, Ca’ Foscari Uni-
versity of Venice is a leading public research institution ranked among the world’s top 100 universities for modern languages and top 150 for history and other humanities subjects. Italy now joins the growing list of countries hosting a Philippine studies program. Other nations offering a formal Philippine studies program include the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands and Singapore also host programs related to Philippine culture, language, and society.
been paid for the vehicles.
A third vehicle, an Escalade, which is not in the search warrant, was also found.
“We’ll just look at those documents, and then investigate whether they paid the government the correct amount (in taxes),” Nepomuceno said in an interview.
Among the vehicles under the search warrant are a Rolls-Royce Cullivan, Mercedes-Benz AMG SUV, and a Lincoln Navigator.
Nepomuceno also said the bureau has already sent information on the other vehicles to the Highway Patrol Group for monitoring.
“Let’s not worry because they will be caught, wherever they hide them (the vehicles),” Nepomuceno said.
“Let it be clear: those hiding or abetting the concealment of these cars will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
At the same time, he urged the Discaya family to voluntarily surrender the cars and present documents proving that the correct duties and taxes have
“We are giving the Discaya family the opportunity to show the Bureau of Customs what they paid. The interest of the bureau is if they paid them correctly. Otherwise, the family will have a problem.”
Customs agents tried to serve the search warrant on two occasions Monday night, but they were denied access to the property on both attempts.
During Monday’s Senate hearing, it was revealed that the Discayas’ car fleet includes a Rolls-Royce Cullinan worth about P42 million, a MercedesBenz Maybach valued at P22 million, a Bentley pegged at P20 million, Cadillac Escalades, GMC units, and multiple Range Rovers.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada yesterday said the Discayas are facing deeper scrutiny in the Senate after records and testimony revealed major discrepancies in the number of luxury cars they own, raising suspicions of tax evasion and vehicle smuggling.
Land Transportation Office data obtained by Estrada’s office showed at least 63 vehicles under the couple’s names and their companies, far higher than the 28 luxury cars admitted by Sa-
the country closer to achieving universal healthcare.
rah Discaya. On the other hand, some of the cars she mentioned, including a Range Rover Defender, Cadillac Escalade, and Mercedes-Benz Maybach, were not in the registry.
Estrada warned that some of the cars may be “gray vehicles,” or smuggled units that entered the country without proper tax payments.
“That’s possible. Maybe they hid them to avoid confiscation because the main concern of the Bureau of Customs is whether they paid the right taxes,” he said.
Estrada said he would move to subpoena Curlee Discaya to testify at the next Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, noting that both should explain how they amassed such wealth.
In a previous interview on the YouTube channel of Julius Babao, the Discayas said they own about 40 high-end cars.
The couple said their favorite was the Rolls-Royce Cullinan that had an Hermes Orange interior.
Sarah, who said her family got rich when they started bidding for DPWH contracts, said their luxury cars helped them show their clients they have “the capacity to execute a project.”
once discouraged Filipinos from seeking medical care.
Benjamin Magalong on Tuesday expressed his willingness to help or be part of the independent commission. Magalong, lead convenor of the Mayors for Good Governance movement, said he would accept should President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. invite him to participate, even as he admitted he has not yet received any formal communication about it.
“I’m also just waiting. But I’m pretty sure they are also aware of other credible individuals who can actually be part of the commission,” he said in a television interview.
“I defer to the President… If he wants me to become a member, I’d be very much willing,” added Magalong, a retired police general and former head of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
In a separate press statement, Senator Panfilo Lacson said having Magalong in the committee would boost its credibility and effectiveness.
The President, however, declined to confirm if Magalong will be part of the commission that will probe alleged substandard or even “ghost” flood control projects.
“I don’t want to talk about it until it’s finalized. We haven’t finalized the plan yet, but it’s close, very, very soon,” President Marcos told reporters in a chance interview.
The President earlier said the committee would include forensic investigators, lawyers, prosecutors and justices.
Meanwhile, Dizon said he has set a timeline of 60 days to reorganize the DPWH in order to cleanse it of corrupt officials.
“We are giving ourselves 60 days maximum to be able to see how best we can reorganize. And hopefully after 30 to 60 days, we will have an organization that we feel will be ready to take on these challenges and move forward,” he said.
“But it will be a difficult 60 days. I will not sugarcoat it... As any reorganization or any revolution is, it is always difficult. But again, I want to repeat, it is necessary,” he added. The DPWH chief said reorganizing the department involves the difficult but necessary process of weeding out “bad eggs” among the competent majority.
said, adding that the government’s next challenge is sustaining the economy to finance the program and strengthening health systems.
President Marcos expressed confidence that the dedication of the country’s doctors, nurses and health workers would help realize the dream of full universal healthcare.
He said implementation of the government’s zero-balance billing program in public hospitals, such as the Bataan General Hospital, is bringing
the SALN, basta with the proper safeguards lang kasi (provided safeguards are observed), we also have to protect the people,» Remulla added. Regarding proposals to expand lifestyle checks on government workers, Remulla said he would be “guided by public sentiment.”
“I think the community will be the ones to tell us. I think that we can rely on the people of the Philippines to help government in advocating, in enforcing a lifestyle check. Ang taumbayan ang pwede magsabi kung anong nangyayari sa mga paligid nila (The peo -
President Marcos visited the facility to inspect its services, including a new feature that allows patients to receive their discharge papers and billing clearance directly in their rooms, sparing them from lining up at the cashier.
“Still zero billing, but instead of the patient lining up at the cashier before discharge, when the patient is about to be discharged, their zero billing is brought to them, another added convenience which I think we should adopt all around the country,” President Marcos said.
The president noted that the program has removed financial barriers that
ple can tell what is happening around them),» he added, In the same interview, Remulla gave assurance that the Office of the Ombudsman would not be used as a “political weapon” under his watch.
“It should not be a tool for political battles… If there is no evidence, we have to dismiss these cases… Politics is temporary, the more important thing is national interest,” he stressed.
He also underscored that too much politics is going on, noting there are many cases filed against partisan politics.
Remulla pointed out that his track re -
“Those who used to hesitate to go to hospitals or get treatment because they feared the costs no longer have that problem,” he said. According to the Department of Health, 78 hospitals nationwide are now implementing zero-balance billing. In Bataan General Hospital alone, 2,976 patients have already benefited.
President Marcos also highlighted the opening of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers, which provide laboratory tests, maternal and child services, and minor surgical procedures.
cord as a lawyer, legislator, and governor speaks of his independence, a trait that is important for the position. Meanwhile, he disclosed that he will file a motion to resolve the pending complaints filed against him by Senator Imee Marcos regarding the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court.
He defended the arrest and turnover of Duterte to The Hague, asserting it was done to maintain the stability of the country and prevent violence or undesirable events. Pot Chavez
million to 2.5 million deadweight tons.
The facility is expected to produce eight massive oil tankers at a time, compared to the previous four five vessels.
“Today, we raise the sails once more,” the President said at the inauguration attended by Hyundai executives, foreign diplomats, and government officials.
“With Hyundai Heavy Industries investing in Subic, our shipyard capacity will significantly increase … boost our export potential, and create more jobs for our Filipino workers,” Marcos noted.
By 2030, the shipyard is expected to employ 4,300 Filipinos, boosting the economic benefits to families and communities, the Chief Executive said.
He added that the project would help reclaim the country’s place among the world’s leading shipbuilders.
The President also highlighted the Philippines’ role in the global maritime workforce, saying 30 percent of the world’s seafarers are Filipinos.
He said it was only fitting that the nation should also contribute vessels to the world’s fleet.
To ensure a skilled workforce, Marcos adverted to a partnership between Hyundai and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Since November 2024, the collaboration has produced welders for the Subic yard, with more training programs now available in marine electricity, welding, and other shipyard disciplines.
“All these efforts show our commitment to reviving the industry to ensure that it will thrive in the generations to come,” the President said. The Subic facility marks Hyundai’s expansion into the Philippines after years of decline in the local shipbuilding sector. From 2014 to 2018, Philippine shipyards produced as much as two million gross tons of vessels annually, but output fell after 2019.
DA: P20/k rice for jeep, trike drivers
By Othel V. Campos
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) will begin distributing P20-per-kilo rice to jeepney and tricycle drivers starting September 16, widening the reach of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship food program Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the pilot rollout will cover five areas, including Navotas City, where 4,000 accredited drivers are listed.
The initiative is being coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), which manages the TODA database.
The P20 rice program, initially launched for solo parents, senior citizens, 4Ps beneficiaries, and persons with disabilities, has since expanded to cover minimum wage earners, rice farmers, and fisherfolk.
Next in line are beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Walang Gutom program and low-income Department of Education staff.
On Friday, Tiu Laurel led the fisherfolk rollout at the Navotas Fish Port Complex, alongside simultaneous launches in Pangasinan and Quezon.
Registered fisherfolk may buy up to 10 kilos a month by presenting their RSBSA ID, FishR ID, or a valid QR code.
The phased approach is intended not only to reach vulnerable groups but also to collect data on consumption, logistics, and supply that will inform a planned nationwide expansion by 2026.
The President has directed the DA to sustain the P20 rice initiative through the end of his term in 2028, targeting 15 million households.
Chiz to Palace: Draft negative list for projects
By Ram Superable
SENATE President Francis Escudero on Tuesday urged Malacañang to craft a “negative list” of infrastructure projects that should be barred from the 2026 national budget.
“Instead of waiting for questionable projects to slip into the budget and then expose them after the fact, we should be proactive,” he said.
“The Palace should make it clear from the start that these kinds of projects will not be entertained,” the Senate chief added.
Escudero said the negative list should guide both the Executive and Legislative branches during the budget process, and argued that projects with little to no public benefit should not receive a single peso of funding from the government.
He recommended that overpriced and low-value items such as reflective studs, slope protection nets, and paints be blacklisted. The lawmaker also pointed to “vanity projects” like waiting sheds, swimming pools, and decorative signages, which he said are susceptible to budgetary abuse.
Recto says ghost projects cost economy
By Darwin G. Amojelar
FINANCE Secretary Ralph Recto on Tuesday said that the ghost flood control projects have cost the Philippine economy an estimated P118.5 billion between 2023 and 2025.
Recto said the “ghost projects” of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are stealing jobs and opportunities from Filipinos.
“Raising revenues is no joke. Then you will see that it does not go to the right projects and the welfare of the people, some have even become ghosts,” he said.
According to DOF data, these ghost flood control projects have cost the
Philippine economy an estimated P42.3 billion to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025. This is equivalent to 95,000 to 266,000 jobs that could have benefited Filipinos.
To correct this injustice, Recto pledged his full support to the President’s directive to closely scrutinize the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“We prepared the NEP with the President to ensure that the projects to be funded in 2026 have the highest multiplier effect. So we will monitor it so that there are no ghost projects. No corruption. No wasted pesos,” he said.
“It is us in the DOF who must raise the money to build the roads that con-
P118.5b
nect us, to ensure every Filipino has access to quality education and healthcare, to secure our food supply, and to create opportunities for all to dream bigger,” Recto added.
Further, he emphasized that the Marcos Jadministration is channeling funds to where they matter most, such as projects and programs that deliver maximum impact to the Filipino people, such as infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and social welfare.
These investments will create more jobs, raise incomes, and reduce poverty, pushing the country closer to its long-term economic aspirations in Ambisyon 2040.
Over 8,000 jobs in government job fair
OVER 8,000 vacancies in 254 government agencies are up for grabs at the 2025 Government Job Fair happening on September 2 to 5 across 15 regional venues nationwide, and on 9 September, specifically in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in celebration of the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA), the job fair offers plantilla and non-plantilla positions in national agencies, local governments, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and state colleges and universities.
CSC chairperson Marilyn B. Yap highlighted that this year’s 8,032 openings surpass the target of 6,300, marking the highest number of va-
cancies in the history of CSC-led job fairs. Yap also encouraged fresh graduates, jobseekers, and career shifters— regardless of background, ability, or identity—to seize the opportunity to join the government workforce and serve with Puso, Dangal, at Galing para sa Bayan. In the National Capital Region (NCR), 25 government agencies will participate, including the Pasig City Government, Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Security System, and University of the Philippines Diliman. The CSC noted, however, that registration for the NCR leg at SM North EDSA has already reached its maximum number of preregistered applicants.
IN BRIEF
MMDA to probe staff playing online games
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is investigating two of its personnel who were seen in a viral video playing online games inside a Quezon City convenience store. The agency has not disclosed the identities of the personnel who were caught playing “Mobile Legends” at an establishment near the intersection of Quezon Avenue and Don Alejandro Roces Avenue. Officials are looking into whether the employees were on authorized breaks or violated agency rules on conduct during work hours. Joel E. Zurbano
‘Proper handwashing key vs. HFMD spread’ THE Department of Health on Tuesday urged parents and schools to strengthen proper handwashing practices as cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) continue to rise nationwide.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the infection, which primarily affects children, has increased sevenfold this year compared to the same period in 2024. “Hand washing is very important for prevention because hand, foot and mouth disease spreads through objects that have been touched,” he said. The health chief advised children, teachers and caregivers to wash their hands regularly with soap and water to reduce the risk of transmission. “There is a proper method of handwashing, and that is what is taught in schools. There is a proper way and also a proper duration,” he explained. Ram Superable Move It rider nabbed in Tondo for lewd act
OPERATIVES from the Manila Police District–Station 7 arrested a Move It rider for allegedly exposing himself in front of a woman in Tondo, Manila. The suspect, identified only as “Raffy” and a resident of Prudencia Street, was charged with violating Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, also known as the “Anti-Bastos Law,” before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the complaint, the victim was washing dishes around 10:30 a.m. when she saw the suspect masturbating in front of her home while staring at her.
Shocked, she immediately informed her father, and the two sought help from barangay officials. The suspect was caught and subdued shortly after. Barangay officials turned him over to police, who placed him under arrest and filed the formal complaint for prosecution. Itchie G. Cabayan
SAVE THE DOLPHINS. Environmental and animal welfare activists from Earth Island Institute Asia Pacific, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, and other allied groups protest outside the Japanese Embassy in Pasay City on Monday, September 1, urging Japan to end annual dolphin hunts in Taiji. Norman Cruz
COCONUT DAY. The coconut, often called the “Tree of Life,” takes the spotlight today as the world marks World Coconut Day. Celebrated every September 2, the occasion highlights the vital role of the coconut tree and fruit as food, drink, livelihood. Edd Castro
NEW DPWH CHIEF.
Vince Dizon, the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is welcomed by outgoing secretary Manuel Bonoan during the turnover ceremony at the DPWH headquarters in Manila. Bonoan resigns amid controversy over flood control concerns. Danny Pata
Navy ship suffers minor damage in Malaysia drill
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Navy on Tuesday confirmed that its guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna sustained minor damage while participating in joint maritime exercises in Malaysia last week, but remained fully mission-capable. No injuries were reported among the crew.
Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said the incident occurred on Aug. 27 at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut, shortly after the harbor phase of the multilateral naval exercise “Malphi Laut.” Martinez explained that the frigate was maneuvering in a “narrow space” when it incurred “superficial damage” on its port side freeboard, the outermost portion of the ship’s surface above the waterline.
“When they say superficial, it’s minimal damage to the outermost surface of the ship,” Martinez explained.
“These are just one of the many risks, operational risks that a commanding officer or a ship would always incur whether you’re a civilian ship or a merchant ship,” she added.
Despite the incident, the Navy emphasized that the BRP Antonio Luna continued its participation in all seaphase events of the exercise. Martinez assured that the frigate remains “mission-capable” and that its commanding officer is a “highly competent and seasoned surface warfare officer.”
A technical assessment and investigation will be conducted upon the vessel’s return to the Philippines to determine the full extent of the damage and whether accountability measures are necessary.
Solon flashes red flag over national education system
By Maricel V. Cruz
A LEGISLATOR has expressed serious concern over the country’s high dropout rates in higher education,, and urged his colleagues to address shortfalls in student support systems.
“Education reform is not just a legislative agenda – but a moral responsibility. It embodies our commitment that no Filipino will be left behind,” said House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairman and TINGOG party-list Rep. Jude Acidre.
“Every policy we craft, every program we support, every project we pursue, must always be anchored on them whose futures depend on the choices we make today,” he added.
Acidre emphasized that access alone is not enough. “We cannot be content with policies that simply open the door to our universities. We must ensure that once our young people step through that door, they are supported to walk all the way to the finish line: to graduation, to employment, towards a brighter future,” he explained.
Citing national data, Acidre warned that four out of ten students who enter higher education in the Philippines do not graduate.
CREATIVITY HAS NO LIMITS. The Malabon City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office sponsors a costumes exhibition dubbed ‘Tambobong Festival Attire’ with two of the entries shown in this photo by Manila Standard photographer Andrew Rabulan
DHSUD thanks House for ‘26 budget increase
By Rio N. Araja
SECRETARY Jose Ramon Aliling of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Tuesday lauded Congress for recognizing the urgent need for a bigger fund to address the country’s housing backlog.
Aliling said the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations ended on Monday three hours of deliberations on the agency’s proposed P5.5-billion budget for 2026.
The DHSUD chief, along with the executives from the Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Housing Finance Corp., the National Housing Authority, the National Home Mortgage and Finance Corp. and the Human Adjudication Commission, presented updated and realistic targets, including its
zero-backlog program, and efforts to streamline and digitalize procedures.
Aliling said the panel members acknowledged the importance of the budget increase to support the Marcos administration’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
“There should be more funds being given to the housing department because it makes economic sense, one and that we are helping more people. I think may be, we can review the
budget being allocated to DHSUD. And I have actually mentioned that may be, some of those project in the Department of Public Works and Highways can be transferred to housing industry because it doesn’t just make economic sense. It also makes a lot of sense,” Aliling said.
“That’s why we are not asking for additional funds. We want to respect the process. We went through the process. We tried to explain. Unfortunately, this is what the National Expenditure Program gave us. So we want to respect the decision of the Department of Budget and Management,” he said.
“Thank you very much for your trust and support. You can be sure that DHSUD will continue to strive and work to the best of our ability to give every Filipino family the opportunity to have a better, safer and more reliable home,” he added.
‘Reserve force crucial for national security’
ARMY chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Monday underscored the vital role of reservists in national defense.
“In moments of national crises, the distinction between regular and reserve will no longer matter. What will matter most is our shared identity as Filipinos and the future of our people that we must safeguard together,” Nafarrete said in remarks during the observance of the Army Reserve Command’s 42nd anniversary Camp Riego de Dios in Tanza, Cavite.
The event was highlighted by the reserve force’s drone demonstration that manifested the Army’s continuing modernization initiatives and push to boost external security operations.
The Army chief also vowed to ensure the seamless integration of reserve and regular units, alongside sustained training and professional development for reservists. Rex Espiritu
DSWD steps up AICS processing services
SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte leads the inspection of a ‘flood water retention system’ designed to catch and store rainwater, thereby preventing them from inundating the streets and low-lying communities.
DILG signs accord on climate resilience
By Vince Lopez
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has forged a partnership with a German organization to address climate change and promote resilience among Filipinos amid worsening environmental challengers.
The DILG signed a memorandum of understanding (NOU) with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH for the implementation of a five-year program aiming to empower Philippine cities toward sustainable, climate-smart urban development amid environmental concerns.
The signing of the MOU titled Integrated Urban Climate Action for Low-Carbon and Resilient Cities (Urban-Act) Project in the Philippines was seen as a significant mile-
stone in advancing urban climate resilience among Filipinos.
Funded by the International Climate Initiative through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, UrbanAct forms part of a broader regional initiative covering India, Thailand, China, and Indonesia.
The project focuses on enhancing the capacities of Philippine cities to immerse in climate change adaptation and mitigation into urban planning. It also promotes stronger policy coherence by integrating national climate policies into local strategies, ensuring tangible, community-level impact.
The DILG, represented by Assistant Secretary for Local Government Jesi Howard Lanete, thanked the German government for its continuing support for the Philippines.
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has deployed additional social workers and support personnel to the new processing center for its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), reinforcing efforts to provide faster and more efficient service to thousands of Filipinos in crisis and who are seeking aid each day.
DSWD spokesman Juan Carlo Marquez said the extra personnel ensures that clients can be properly assisted with the new processing center that can also accommodate up to 1,000 individuals at a given time.
“We have added social workers who conduct interviews and assessments. The capacity of our new processing office can accommodate 1,000 people at a given time. This means that we can help more people in one day in a more convenient place),” he said.
The DSWD also sustains measures that have long been in place to cut waiting time, including the streamlining of procedures, according to Marquez. Maricel V. Cruz
BI foils escape of three overstaying Chinese BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents, in coordination with the police, have intercepted three Chinese nationals linked to illegal online gambling operations who tried to flee through the southern backdoor.
BI Fugitive Search Unit chief Rendel Ryan Sy identified the foreigners as Zhang Xiaofeng, Guo Jinxia, and Zhong Xiongwei. They were found to be overstaying aliens in the country.
Two of the Chinese wer captured by the police in Tawi-Tawi while trying to board a motorboat that would bring them to Sabah, Malaysia.
The third was intercepted by the law enforcers in another port. Vito Barcelo
FOOD WASTE AVOIDANCE. Ajinomoto Philippines president Koichi Ozaki and Scholars of Sustenance Philippines country general manager Rachel Luna join hands to prepare nutritious meals in collaboration with the Rescue Kitchen in Better World based in Diliman, Quezon City, in a move meant to reduce food waste and promote nutrition among vulnerable communities. Manny Palmero
OPINION
Pass an anti-political dynasty act ASAP
THE 1987 Constitution provides in Section 26 of Article II: “The state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
In a recent hearing conducted by the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation, former Commission on Elections Chair Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, said he believes Congress owes it to the people to pass such piece of legislation in compliance with the letter and spirit of our fundamental law.
Here’s what he actually said: “We trusted when we were writing the Constitution that Congress would carry out this mission and duty on their part, and that Congress will have the capability and courage to change it as our democracy changes, as we improve.”
Monsod explained the framers left it to Congress to define political dynasty because they thought that “by including the mandate in the Declaration of Principles and State Policies, the Congress would enact an implementing law.”
“We were trusting Congress to do its job and that the extent and gravity of the problem may change over time. Today, we may need to extend beyond fourth degree, to first cousins. In later years, after we have gained political maturity—and I’m sorry to say, we have not gained political maturity—maybe the problem may be limited only to two degrees or one degree,” he added.
He lamented, further on: “We left that to the wisdom of the Congress, who are the representatives of the people. Unfortunately, that has not happened,” Monsod added.
The problem of political dynasties in the Philippines is not just extensive, it is deeply entrenched and systemic. It touches nearly every level of governance and has persisted for generations, despite being explicitly prohibited by the 1987 Constitution. Political dynasties wield widespread control. As of 2025, around 80 percent of provincial governors and 67 percent of House representatives belong to political dynasties. In some cities, political clans dominate local governance entirely: 113 out of 149 cities are controlled by dynastic families.
Researchers at the Ateneo School of Government distinguish between “fat” and “obese” dynasties. The fat ones consist of 2 to 3 family members in office simultaneously and the obese ones are those with 4–5 or more relatives holding power at once. These families often extend their
influence into business, agriculture, mining, and real estate, creating a web of patronage and control that has proven to be very hard to dismantle.
Political dynasties have a deleterious impact on governance. Studies show that areas dominated by dynasties tend to suffer from higher poverty rates, weaker public services, and more corruption scandals, such as the recent flood control fund scam.
What should be done?
Congress should pass an AntiDynasty Law. The Constitution mandates a ban, but Congress has never passed an enabling law to define and enforce it.
We should emphasize merit over lineage. Leadership should be earned, not inherited
An Anti-Dynasty Law should ban the candidacies of relatives up to the second or third degree of consanguinity (siblings, grandparents, nieces, and so on).
We should also push for reforms in the party-list system to prevent dynastic infiltration and restore its original purpose of representing marginalized sectors.
We should reduce the influence of money in politics to help level the playing field and weaken dynastic grip in our political system.
We need to enhance digital governance and transparency.
Automating public services and procurement processes will help to reduce discretion and opportunities for corruption.
We should also strengthen civic education, media literacy, and grassroots movements to help voters recognize and resist dynastic manipulation.
Political dynasties thrive on name recall, patronage, and systemic inequality. Breaking the cycle requires not just legislation, but a cultural shift where Filipino voters should bear in mind that leadership is earned, not inherited.
How to challenge political dynasties in the Philippines? We must vote for merit, not the surname. We should vote for new faces to inspire new hope. We should emphasize merit over lineage. Leadership should be earned, not inherited.
An inclusive democracy is where everyone deserves a fair shot at public service, as our fundamental law provides very clearly.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
An impeachment post-mortem
NOW that the dust has settled on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, we can finally talk about it without the shouting and the hashtags. But make no mistake—quiet doesn’t mean closure.
The noise may have died down, but the questions are still alive, and they’re staring us in the face. From the very beginning, this was never just about politics. It was about accountability—plain and simple. To dismiss it as “just politics” is a lazy way to duck the real issue.
Sure, some of those who pushed for impeachment didn’t like the Vice President. But let’s be honest—some of those who killed it in the Senate didn’t care about the facts either.
EDITORIAL
A measure of comfort
PEOPLE are free to live as they want. If they work hard, they are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their diligence. This is especially poignant if they came from humble roots, with hardly an access to education, networks, and other opportunities. Those who dreamed of a comfortable life for their families are also entitled to give them that – and do not owe anyone an explanation.
There is a distinct line, however, between those enjoying a measure of comfort because they toiled fair and fought hard, and those who did so as a result of manipulation, deceit, or corruption.
These days, the Filipino people are training their collective anger at those in a position to do something about flooding in many parts of the country. Because it is the rainy season, and because global warming has given way to more intense and more frequent weather patterns, more and more Filipinos’ homes get submerged in floodwater, endangering lives, livelihoods, and property.
The disruption and danger are untold.
And now we find that the government has been funding projects designed to prevent these exact scenari-
Because the Senate slammed the door shut, not with a verdict on the facts, but with a technicality.
That’s not justice—that’s escape.
And when you “clear” someone without ever letting them face the evidence, what you’re really doing is protecting them from accountability.
They were loyal to her. Loyalty over law. Protection over principle. And when that happens, democracy takes the hit.
And here’s the part that should bother every Filipino: the core questions remain unanswered.
Where did the half a billion pesos in confidential funds go?
Was the money used as intended, or did it vanish into the shadows of “national security”?
And did the Vice President really threaten to hire a hitman to take out the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker of the House? Were those just jokes? Idle talk? Or something more serious? We’ll never know.
The noise may have died down, but the questions are still alive, and they’re staring us in the face
The people aren’t blind to this. The surveys showed it—most Filipinos wanted the trial to proceed. They wanted answers. They wanted to see the process work.
Instead, they saw lawmakers shield an impeachable officer from the one Constitutional process designed to test her case. And for what? To keep political peace? To protect alliances?
But beyond the politics, this is the part that cuts the deepest: what mes-
Let the hypocrites be unmasked and held accountable for their actions
os. There are flood control projects all over the country, all appropriated for in the national budget. Unfortunately, the projects take the usual turn of not being as effective as envisioned. Corruption at every stage and on every level eats away at the money such that very little is left to ensure that the project is accomplished with good quality, if they are even completed or begun at all.
Meanwhile, we hear about the os-
sage are we sending to our children?
That power beats the truth? That if you’re in the right position, you can hide behind procedure? That public office is about privilege, not public trust?
Our Constitution says it clearly— public office is a public trust.
But trust is earned, not inherited. And right now, we’re asking the public to keep trusting institutions that won’t even finish the one job the Constitution gives them when it comes to impeachable officials.
The Senate could have done its duty—hear the case, decide on the facts, and let the chips fall where they may. If she was innocent, fine—clear her after the evidence is heard. If she was guilty, hold her to account. Either way, the people would have had closure.
The Supreme Court could have done the same—hold oral arguments, hear the petitions, let the light in. By now, we could have clarity instead of conspiracy theories. We could have strengthened the idea that in the Philippines no one is untouchable.
But that didn’t happen. What happened instead was a
tentation of some individuals who are unabashed at their material advantage. They flaunt their lifestyles and are proud of the good life they are leading.
There has been no direct link between public funds and these individuals’ extravagance – not yet, at least. But as investigations continue, the public will get a clearer picture of the likelihood that hard work was not the primary reason these individuals are enjoying their lifestyle.
The flaunting is infuriating, indeed, but we must not let our outrage end in the luxury cars or expensive designer items. We should follow this issue to its end – in the identification of the faux public servants who swore to champion their constituents’ interests, filming of cases against them, conviction and jail time is warranted. The private individuals who benefited from colluding with these officials must be punished commensurate to their participation, of course, but they did not have public mandate, they did not swear to do good by the people, and are not accountable in the same way as public officials are. The public will find a measure of comfort only when the guilty are punished and when the hypocrites are unmasked and held accountable for their actions.
retreat—a quiet, careful sidestep around the truth. The impeachment process, meant to be a check on the most powerful officials, was reduced to a paperwork exercise.
And so here we are, left with more questions than answers, more suspicion than trust. We could have shown the world that our democracy still has teeth. Instead, we’ve shown that it can gum its way around the truth when the accused holds enough power. Maybe that’s the real verdict here—not on the Vice President, but on us. On our institutions, our lawmakers, and our willingness to accept a shortcut when the long road gets uncomfortable.
Because in the end, impeachment isn’t just about removing someone from office. It’s about proving that in this country, truth matters more than power.
And if we can’t prove that, then the real betrayal isn’t what one person did with public money or public trust. The real betrayal is that we let her walk away without ever having to answer for it.
And history will remember that— not just her name, but ours.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Former Eagles Chiu, Koon lead 128 PBA Draft hopefuls
FORMER Ateneo Blue Eagles Geo Chiu and Chris Koon and St. Benilde’s Will Gozum are among the 128 aspirants, who have joined the rookie draft for the Philippine Basketball Association’s 50th season.
The 6’10” Chiu and the 6’5” Koon were part of the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ finals campaigns in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Chiu was also part of the Gilas national team and last played in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in 2023.
Koon suited up for his final collegiate year during UAAP Season 87.
The 6’6” Gozum played for the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and was a vital cog in the Blazers’ bid for a crown.
The list comes from university leagues and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Other notable entries include John Bryan Sajonia of San Beda, Letran’s Kobe Monje, Shawn Umali and Tony Ynot of College of St. Benilde, and Qatar-based guard Jacey Cruz.
The other big men who have entered the draft are Letran’s Mark Omega (6’5”), University of Santo Tomas’ Christian Manaytay (6’5”) and John Matthew Manalang (6’5”).
Also listed are Vince Magbuhos (6’5”), Ladis Lepalam (6’9”), Joseph Celso (6’5”), John Capulong (6’6”), 6’5 Paolo Quiminales, Ximon Sindayan (6’5”), Mike Canal (6’5”), Allan Beltran 6’5” , Mario Barais (6’7”) , Arnold Ando (6’7”), Dolan Adlawan (6’5”) and Kristan Hernandez (6’5”).
All applicants will go through the two-day Draft Combine on Sept. 4 and 5 before the official list of eligible draftees will be released a day after the two-day activity.
Draft Day is set Sept. 7 at the Music Hall of the Mall of Asia.
Terrafirma will have the privilege to get the season’s top overall pick followed by Phoenix and Blackwater based on the win-loss record percentage of all teams in Season 49. Peter Atencio
Dagoon hogs tennis spotlight
Chan, Bibat sizzle in wet Bacolod test
BACOLOD—Aidric Chan and Michael Bibat, who had contrasting finishes in the previous Philippine Golf Tour leg at Caliraya Springs, found common ground here on Tuesday at the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge, both carding impressive six-under-par 64s to seize a share of the first-round lead over Randy Garalde.
Despite the unpredictable weather – a seesaw of sun and rain – both players turned in composed and calculated rounds to stay ahead in the P2 million tournament. With the softened fairways at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club neutralizing long hitters, precision, patience and putting were the keys to early success.
Chan, who finished tied for seventh at Caliraya, delivered a highlight-reel moment on the par-5 15th. After missing his tee shot, he recovered with a solid 4-iron second shot from 236 yards that landed in front of the green. He then watched his long putt drop for an eagle.
“I luckily hit a good second shot and made a long putt,” said Chan, who post-
ed a pair of 32s that included five birdies against one bogey.
The 40-year-old Bibat, meanwhile, also used a missed cut at Caliraya as fuel for his strong start, said better preparation this week made all the difference.
“I haven’t had enough practice in the past, so I kind of struggled,” Bibat admitted. “Teaching takes up a lot of time, and I almost always run out of chances to train. But this week I carved out time – and it showed.”
His bogey-free 64 was one of only two blemish-free rounds on Day 1, the other being Sean Ramos’ 67. Bibat birdied holes 2, 5, 10, 14, 15 and 17, and preserved his clean card with gritty par saves from 12 and 15 feet. His only regret was a missed three-foot birdie on No. 13.
The Bacolod layout, though short in yardage, played tougher than expected due to recent rains that softened the fairways and reduced rollout. Approach shots required more control, and the receptive but slower greens demanded deft touch and adaptability.
Diaz commits to join SEAG, has 4 months to be in shape
the Philsports Complex in Pasig
JAN Cadee Dagoon delivered a pair of commanding victories to dominate the Mayor Arlene Arcillas National Juniors Tennis Championships, while Jan Caleb Villeno posted a win and a runner-up finish to share MVP honors at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex over the weekend. Dagoon, a rising star from Olongapo City, lived up to her top billing by storming through the girls’ singles 16-and-under division. She capped her run with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over No. 2 seed and doubles partner Ayl Gonzaga in the finals. She sustained her blistering form in the 18-and-U title match, overwhelming second seed Izabelle Camcam with the same emphatic scoreline to emerge as the tournament’s only “double” singles winner in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop. Dagoon actually bagged three titles in total, teaming up with Gonzaga to capture the 18-and-U doubles crown via an 8-2 rout of Cristina Reyes and Jasmine Solis. In the boys’ side, Villeno, a native of San Pablo City, made his mark by claiming the boys’ 12-and-U title with a 6-0 (ret.) win over doubles partner Jairus Peralta. Though he fell short of a secon d singles title after a 6-3, 6-2 loss to Anthony Cosca in the 14-and-U finals, Villeno still stood out among the boys’ field and shared MVP honors with Dagoon in the two-week long event sanctioned by Philta and hosted by Sta. Rosa
By Peter Atencio
TOKYO Olympics’ gold medallist Hidilyn Diaz is elated and excited to compete again.
Diaz said this as she shifts to a lower weight category when she returns to action in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The 34-year-old Diaz will have four months to prepare for the women’s 58-kg weight class after more than a year’s absence from competition. She last competed in the 59-kg division at the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships in South Korea, where she placed 4th and failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics the following year.
“I said yes. And I have four months to prepare, although nagte-training naman ako,” said Diaz. “Pero iba talaga when you are training for something big.”
Diaz discussed her plans after she met with Olympic triple-gold medallist fencer Lee Kiefer and her husband and Olympian Gerek Meinhardt last Friday.
She was around with her husband Julius Naranjo when Kiefer and Meinhardt dropped by the Philsports Complex in Pasig to hold a fencing clinic for young aspirants and members of the national fencing team.
The new category that Diaz is in has compelled her to lose weight during her preparations.
“Medyo natatakot ako. Parang bago. And I have to drop weight,” added Diaz, who added she gave her commitment for the the SEAG when asked by Samahang Weighlifting ng Pilipinas chief Monico Puentevella.
Her decision to get listed in the 58-kg category came after the 59-kg and 55-kg classes were not included in the coming Thailand SEA Games. When Diaz saw action in 2022 in the Hanoi SEAG, she won the gold medal in the 55-kg action, a category which was absent in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia and the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she was bumped off from the lone slot by teammate Elreen Ando. Diaz is getting off a busy schedule after organizing the inaugural staging of the weightlifting meet in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
Diaz said she has been involved in talks with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Education in helping regularize weightlifting events in the Palaro.
The PSC, through chairman Patrick Gregorio, has committed to provide the needed equipment for the games and has informed Education Secretary Sonny Angara of their plans, according to Diaz.
Japan, USA look to spring surprises at FIVB men’s world tilt
DON’T expect a walk in the park for Italy, Poland, France and Brazil.
While they’re tagged as heavy favorites— Poland is world No. 1, Italy is the defending FIVB Men’s World Champion, Brazil is world No. 3 followed by Olympic gold medalist France—several teams are ready to give them a run for their money in the highly-anticipated FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025 set September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Crowd favorites Japan and USA along with the lethal Slovenia loom as the next three big guns on their coattails as the No. 5, No. 6 and No. 7 team, respectively, in the final FIVB rankings heading into Manila.
Led by the troika of Yuji Nishida, Ran Takahashi and skipper Yuki Ishikawa, the fifthranked Ryujin Nippon will be out with guns ablaze in front of an expected pro-Japanese crowd in a bid to finally perform better after early exits in the last three major tournaments.
Japan posted quarterfinal finishes in the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2025 Volleyball Nations League and should be ready for a deep run this time around as one of the most loved squads by the sport-crazed Filipino crowd.
Unfazed
The sixth-ranked Americans, spearheaded by star setter Micah Christenson, libero captain Erik Shoji and Paris Second Best Middle Blocker Taylor Averill, also serve as one of the crowd darlings in Manila that should add fuel to their campaign.
USA wound up sixth in the 2022 world meet but
BACOLOD—Korean Seo Yun Kim
finally put aside the nerves and inner doubts that have long hampered her Ladies Philippine Golf Tour campaigns, delivering an unruffled performance in the opening round of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge here on Tuesday.
Amid softened fairways and lengthened holes brought about by recent rains, Kim thrived under the challenging conditions at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club. She carded a brilliant four-under 66 to seize a threestroke lead over defending champion Daniella Uy and Kristine Fleetwood and position herself for a breakthrough victory in the P750,000 tournament.
From her very first tee shot, Kim displayed focus and calm, steering clear
will march into the Philippine shores riding the crest of a bronze medal finish in the Paris Summer Games.
Falling prey to USA in the third-place match was no less than the reigning world champion Italy, teasing what it’s capable of in the 32-team world joust as the biggest in history organized by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who also heads the world championship’s Local Organizing Committee co-chaired by Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
Then there’s the ever-dangerous Slovenia, a consistent semifinalist in all major tournaments behind the leadership of super spiker Rok Mozic.
Slovenia finished fifth in Paris and placed fourth in the 2022 world championship and 2025 VNL. Japan leads Pool G with Canada, Turkey and Libya, USA is in Pool D with Cuba, Portugal and Colombia while Slovenia faces Germany, Bulgaria and Chile in Pool E.
of the mental lapses that have plagued her in past events. Her drives were crisp and accurate, her irons dialed in, and her putting confident. She hit greens in regulation with impressive consistency and kept mistakes off the card to post a bogey-free 33-33 round.
“I just wanted to stay calm on the tee box. No pressure,” said Kim. “There was no specific key to my game – I just practiced well and stayed in rhythm. I didn’t overthink.”
Kim’s round was highlighted by back-to-back birdies from Nos. 8 and 12, giving her a cushion that none of her rivals could match as she put in a round that was more clinical than spectacular – the mark of a player in full control of her game.
Though her strong start surprised many, especially among the tour’s more seasoned players, Kim herself felt quietly confident after a solid start. “I kind of expected I’d play well after getting three birdies in the first 12 holes,” she added. “I just stayed focused all day and didn’t let my mind wander.” It was a far cry from her campaign in the LPGT kickoff leg at Pradera Verde, where she mounted a valiant final-round rally but came up short, tying for second with Daniella Uy behind eventual winner Sam Bruce. Now, with two rounds to play, Kim is determined to maintain her poise and finally break through for her maiden LPGT title. “Nothing special, just more of the same focus and composure,” she said.
Aidric Chan posts a pair of 32s that included five birdies against one bogey. Manny Marcelo
Hidilyn Diaz with visiting Olympic gold winning fencers Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt on Friday at
Marcelo
City Mayor Arlene Arcillas as part of the city’s continuing commitment to grassroots sports development.
Jan Cadee Dagoon
By Othel V. Campos
STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it is accelerating development in Poro Point, La Union, with a P250-million investment to build a new airport terminal, alongside plans to expand port operations into a logistics hub.
DBM vows tighter oversight of budget to stop realignments
By Darwin G. Amojelar DEPARTMENT
of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah
Pangandaman said her agency would strengthen oversight and coordination with lawmakers to protect the national budget from “irregular realignments.”
Speaking at a Senate Committee on Finance hearing Monday, Pangandaman addressed concerns raised by Senator Panfilo Lacson about the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
Lacson noted that certain parts of the budget for the Department of Education had been reduced, while funding for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was increased.
Lacson called for closer coordination between the DBM and the Legislative branch to monitor the upcoming
bicameral conference for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), citing concerns that “the biggest culprits really come in... where the scary realignments really come in.”
Pangandaman assured the public that the DBM would protect the budget and ensure it aligns with the administration’s national priorities.
“We will closely monitor the budget now,” Pangandaman said.
“While the DBM no longer has jurisdiction over the General Appropriations Bill, we will work very closely with the House Secretariat and the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office [LBRMO] to provide real-time technical validation and to ensure that any bicam changes remain constitutional, transparent, and above all, for the betterment of our people,” she said.
ASEAN investments in PH hit P252b since 2020—BOI
HE Philippines continues to attract robust investor confidence from its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with projects approved by the Board
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the steady inflow highlights the country’s enduring appeal as an attractive investment destination in the region. From January to July 2025 alone, ASEAN
countries contributed P58.07 billion to the BOI’s total investments pipeline.
DTI Secretary and BOI chairman Cristina Roque said the agency remains focused on advancing
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priorities by strengthening the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and deepening investment relationships with ASEAN member countries, particularly in the digital economy sector.
“As we build stronger trade and investment ties with our ASEAN neighbors, these numbers reflect the growing confidence of foreign investors in the Philippines as a place
Aug. 29, 2025 at Widus Hotel in Clark Freeport zone, Pampanga. Joseph Muego
BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang said the existing airport terminal at Poro Point is already outdated, prompting the agency to pursue a modern 10,000-square-meter facility that would accommodate commercial flights.
“The existing terminal is too old, so we are investing in a new facility to accommodate commercial operations. We are already working on the design-and-build proposal this year,” Bingcang said, adding that the bidding would be held within the remaining months of 2025.
The airport, currently limited to general aviation, is envisioned to host passenger airlines that will bring in both tourists and business travelers to Northern Luzon.
BCDA said it is also moving forward with the long-term development of
BCDA spending P250m to upgrade airport in Poro Point, La Union BIR probes 15 flood control contractors
the Poro Point port.
The agency took over operations from a private firm in October 2024 under its subsidiary, Poro Point Management Corp., and expects to see steady revenues of up to P80 million this year despite earlier claims of losses by the private sector.
“To our surprise, we have good revenue streams coming from the port operation. That’s why we are pushing for its development,” Bingcang said.
BCDA tapped the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center to conduct a feasibility study covering an additional 80 hectares at Poro Point.
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Monday it has served letters of authority to examine the taxes paid by 15 of the country’s largest flood control contractors as part of a government investigation into alleged “ghost projects.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. told a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing that the letters were issued under the agency’s Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program, which gives examiners the authority to scrutinize the financial records and tax compliance of the companies. Lumagui assured senators that the BIR would cooperate fully with
The two-year study will determine the best land use plan before bidding out the project to private partners, with concepts ranging from logistics and agro-industrial activities to tourism.
“If there are solicited proposals along the way, we can entertain them. But it’s important to have a clear concept first,” Bingcang said. The initiatives at Poro Point form part of BCDA’s strategy to expand revenue streams and support higher remittances to the national government, which are expected to breach P100 billion this year.
for business growth,” Roque said. “We will keep working to create a stable and welcoming business environment, one that brings in more investments and opens up real opportunities for Filipinos,” she said. Singapore has consistently led as the top ASEAN source of investment pledges, contributing P246 billion in approved projects since 2020. It is followed by Indonesia (P12.27 billion), Thailand (P4.34 billion), and Malaysia (P1.7 billion).
P246 billion P12.27 billion P4.34 billion Investments from Singapore Investments from Indonesia Investments from Thailand
BSP dismisses 2 supervisors over attendance data
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Tuesday its Monetary Board (MB) approved on Aug. 20, 2025 the maximum penalties against two supervisors for their alleged involvement in falsifying attendance records. The BSP said in a statement its decision to impose the maximum administrative penalties, which include formal dismissal from service, is its latest step in addressing an issue it has taken seriously to uphold the integrity the institution is known for. It said it handled the matter as swiftly as possible while observing due process to ensure the decision upholds justice and accountability. The formal dismissal includes forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of civil service eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and a bar from taking civil service examinations, the BSP said. The two supervisors were among those investigated after four BSP staffers were dismissed in July 2024 for allegedly falsifying their attendance records. The staffers were also disqualified from holding public office and had their retirement benefits forfeited.
Filipina scientist-led team shows bird droppings aid forest recovery
Alfonso, Cavite: Wedding capital with a royal name
By Marianne Venice Sebua
ALFONSO, Cavite — This peaceful town in upland Cavite is slowly becoming one of the country’s favorite wedding spots. Named after King Alfonso XII of Spain, this town—once known as Alasas, gained its independence from Indang in 1859 and has since blossomed into more than just a historical gem. The heart and soul of Alfonso’s historical identity is the San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church, established in 1861. This centuries-old Catholic church has served as the spiritual anchor of the town for over 160 years. The old stone walls and calm surroundings make it a top choice for couples, including some well-known names, who want a classic setting for their vows.
But Alfonso offers more than its historic church. Dedicated to St. John Nepomucene, a patron saint known for his faith and defense of the confessional seal, the church remains a favored choice for couples seeking solemnity and sanctity in their wedding ceremonies. Its cool weather, green hills, and quiet atmo-
sphere give it the title “Wedding Destination of the Philippines.” Close to Tagaytay but less crowded, it offers the same scenic views with more privacy. The town has several venues for all kinds of weddings. Lifeplace Retreat & Events Center is known for holding only one event per day and has different spaces such as a chapel, garden, and pavilion. Hillcreek Gardens offers gardens, a ballroom, and smaller areas for intimate gatherings. Other popular spots include Hacienda Solange, Savanna Farm, Sonya’s Garden, and Ville Sommet. Many of these venues also provide complete wedding packages, making planning easier for couples and adding to the town’s reputation as a top wedding destination. For couples, Alfonso combines history, nature, and convenience. With its beautiful church, fresh air, and wide choices of venues, it continues to attract those looking for a memorable and romantic place to say “I do.” https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XJJhD-MxAkR9eCXYLTdup4z-66QLmGEn_LYGGvGCY/edit?usp=drivesdk
The unseen struggles behind every catch
By Lyschelle Joy Armijo
FOR many people, the rainy season is often associated with relaxation—curling up under thick blankets, sipping hot soup, and enjoying the cold weather. But for Vincent Viñas, a 61-year-old fisherman from Amaya, Tanza, Cavite, this season is far from comforting. For him, the rains bring danger, uncertainty, and daily struggles to provide for his family. Vincent has been a fisherman since he was just 12 years old, spending most of his life braving the sea. Over the decades, he has faced countless hardships in his line of work, but the rainy season remains the most difficult. He often spends two to three days out at sea with little to no sleep, just to catch enough fish to sell. Yet despite his sacrifices, his earnings are barely enough to cover his family’s daily needs.
“Mahirap manghuli kapag tag-ulan. ‘Yung kita ko kapag tag-araw, ibangiba kapag tag-ulan—halos kalahati ang nababawas. Bukod pa doon, mas malaki ang panganib sa tuwing lalaot,” Vincent narrated, his voice heavy with worry. Still, despite the hardships, Vincent
continues to sail because fishing is the only livelihood he knows. His determination comes from his love for his family and his hope that each trip to the sea will be fruitful enough to put food on the table. For him, giving up has never been an option.
“Para sa pamilya ko, kahit gaano kahirap, kakayanin ko. Hangga’t kaya ko pang lumangoy at manghuli, hindi ako titigil,” he said with firm resolve, proving that resilience keeps him afloat even in the stormiest seasons. But Vincent’s story is not unique. Like him, many fisherfolk in Cavite face the same reality. When storms arrive, not only does the volume of catch drastically decrease, but the risk of accidents at sea also rises. Strong winds, high tides, and unpredictable waves constantly threaten their lives, leaving their families anxious every time they set sail.
By Bernadette Araño
ARTIFICIAL intelligence is no longer confined to smartphones. At its Galaxy AI NexGen Lab media preview in Pasig City on Thursday, Samsung Philippines shared their two new wearables—the Galaxy Buds3 FE and the Galaxy Buds Core, designed to extend the company’s AI ecosystem into everyday listening devices.
The two devices mark Samsung’s effort to put AI into everyday audio experiences, making tasks such as translation, communication, and personal assistance available hands-free.
AI Beyond the Screen Samsung’s Galaxy Buds3 FE offers a more convenient way to interact with devices through its built-in AI-powered voice assistance. Now, users can just simply say, ‘Hey Google,’ and Buds3 FE can listen, understand, and respond without the need to type it on their phones using their fingers. Designed for commuters and multi-
By Dr. Jelaine L. Gan
REFORESTATION
activities typically involve planting trees in degraded areas. However, tree planting is resource-intensive, requiring labor for the planting and more importantly nurturing of the seedlings, and may be expensive and limited by seedling supply. Moreover, there is always a question of whether the right plant species (i.e., native rather than non-native economically important species) are being planted to benefit biodiversity.
Thankfully, forests have built-in processes to regenerate or heal if we let them be. Reforestation activities can work with natural systems to accelerate natural forest recovery through Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR). One strategy under the ANR approach targets the increase of the seed supply to the degraded areas. The idea is simple: add bird perches to degraded areas near the forest and attract the fruit-eating birds. While on the perch, they poop out seeds and plant the future forest! Easy, but is it really effective? Previous studies found varying results on the effectiveness of perches to increase seed arrival and seedling establishment. Some say it is, some say not. To resolve this, our international team of scientists, led by Dr. Jelaine Gan from the Institute of Biology - University of the Philippines, with researchers from UK Universities (Newcastle University, University of St Andrews) and Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, conducted a systematic review of the literature and combined the data from different studies to find a consensus through a method called meta-analysis.
After months of searching and carefully screening studies, we found 396 relevant publications to review. We noted different types of artificial, semi-natural, and natural perches (Figure 1 below). Artificial perches (i.e., man-made) were mainly straight poles made from wood or PVC pipes with horizontal bars and crossbars, while some examined live fences (i.e., living trees tied with wire), and wood piles. Meanwhile, natural perches were also examined, which came in a variety of types from shrubs to trees to tree islands, as well as rock. The scattered trees in agricultural fields are also considered natural perches. We have also noted semi-natural perches, which are those made from dead branches/snags propped up with support.
The verdict All three types (natural, artificial, semi-natural perches) had a significant positive effect of increasing the number of seeds that arrive in the degraded areas. More seeds from more species were found under perches than the control sites (i.e., areas without perch), signifying their effectiveness.
taskers, the Buds3 FE allows users to check their daily agenda, email, or access any other information instantly. “It’s definitely very much for people who are on the go and simply want to also use AI without using their smartphones,” said Mich Tee, Product Marketing Manager for Samsung Wearables. Built with an improved active noise cancelling, customizable sound settings, and clearer call quality, the Buds3 FE position themselves as a step up for consumers who want practicality paired with AI convenience.
Community efforts in Tanza lead to cleaner, safer surroundings
By Lyschelle Joy Armijo
Figure 1. Illustrations of the three different perch types examined in the studies. Illustrations were made with the use of artificial intelligence on Canva (Magic Studio™), guided by author description.
DISCLAIMER. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual who sent it and may not reflect the views of Cavite State University – Main Campus.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ANGELICA Writer Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Rhian Ramos, Liezel Lopez share career highs and personal joys
Shticks
Joseph Peter Gonzales
RHIAN Ramos radiated happiness as she renewed her contract with GMA Network, her home studio.
“I’m really grateful to the management for their continued trust and support in me all these years,” Rhian said. “It says a lot that the Kapuso didn’t leave me. That’s why it’s called show business because it’s a business. It’s easy to treat someone like a business. But GMA didn’t do that. They treated me like a person who is still learning, who is still growing.” Rhian opened up about a difficult period in her life when she battled depression, stemming from controversies and challenges in her career. She even considered leaving showbiz but the support of loved ones and experts helped her through the dark times.
“This is why I want to thank GMA. Even when I was struggling, they held on. I feel honored considering my many contract renewals with them. It feels like they trust me and I feel so valued to be here,” she said.
Rhian credited the network for giving her consistent, challenging projects that honed her craft.
“Over the years, they just kept giving me work, very meaningful projects. I was never left without anything to do. There is always something new to learn, always a first time for me,” she said.
Currently, she plays Mitena in the top-rating fantasy series Encantadia Chronicles: Sang-gre, one of the show’s most pivotal characters. “It’s a beautifully written role. Even as a villain, viewers still understand her. I can be the most hated or loved, and it’s all the same to me,” Ramos added. * * *
MEANWHILE, Liezel Lopez is enjoying both professional and personal highs. In a recent interview, she confirmed she is in a relationship, though she declined to reveal her partner’s name, noting he is a private person.
Liezel said dating someone outside the entertainment industry gives them privacy and balance. “It’s essential that he understands my job as an actress for our relationship to work,” she said.
She also emphasized the importance of commitment and family values. “For me, it’s very important that he is a good provider and is ready to commit and raise a family,” she said. The Kapuso actress is also busy with her career, appearing in the hit drama-action series Sanggang Dikit FR, starring Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado
SHOWBIZ
Mika Salamanca
lets young readers dream big and fly high with ‘Lipad’
MIKA Salamanca couldn’t hold back her tears. “Mahika is me. Ako po siya. Kabuuhan siya ng mga pinagdaanan ko mula pagkabata ,” the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab E dition winner shared, her voice quivering as she read passages from her new children’s book before entertainment media on Sept. 1.
She paused several times, overcome with emotion. The book, which she describes as a fairy tale for kids and grownups alike, mirrors her life experiences, insecurities, and lessons learned, making the moment intensely personal.
“I poured everything into this. That’s why it touches me deeply,” she told Manila Standard Entertainment. While Lipad speaks to children, Mika crafted it so adults can discover meaning and inspiration too. “It’s for kids. Yet whenever you read it—whatever season of life you’re in, you can find something valuable.”
The story tackles fears and challenges and the courage to leave comfort zones, face the unknown, and navigate life’s twists.
“As life unfolds, you learn and grow. If you feel lost, like me right now, this story can offer guidance and hope,” the Aguila Entertainment talent explained.
For Mika, writing children’s books flows from experience. “It comes from what I observe, feel, and live. This is my heart, something I give fully,” she said.
Her passion began in childhood, filling journals with dreams and letters to family. “My sister noticed how I remembered details everyone else forgot. She encouraged me to capture everything, and my family always believed in me,” she recalled.
With Lipad, Mika achieves another milestone. From winning the landmark season of PBB Celebrity Collab Edition to releasing her single “Sino Nga Ba Sya?,” she now adds author to her accomplishments.
Lipad tells the story of Mahika, a young fairy who feels different because her wings are small and unique. The story encourages children to embrace their individuality, find confidence, and soar with their own wings.
“I want kids to know they are beautiful, valuable, and capable of anything when they believe in themselves,” Mika said.
Aware of social media’s influence on young minds, Mika aims to guide children through a world of curated, idealized images. She continues her advocacy for children and senior citizens, planning to donate copies of Lipad to charities nationwide.
DWAYNE “The Rock” Johnson said Monday he had turned his heavily muscled back on action movie roles to be able to express himself as an actor in his latest film, The Smashing Machine, which premiered in Venice.
The 53-year-old was the day’s star attraction at the Venice Film Festival—his first appearance at a European festival— where he mixed with arthouse directors and independent movie fans on the Lido.
The Fast and Furious star told reporters that he’d taken on previous roles for commercial reasons, and “the box office in our business is very loud, and it can be very resounding, and it can push you into a category and into a corner.”
“I understood that, and I made those movies ... some were really good and did well, and some not so,” the wrestler-turnedactor confided.
“I just had this burning desire and this voice that was saying, ‘Well, what if? What if there is more and what if I can?’”
On paper, the role in the The Smashing Machine by US director Benny Safdie was tailor-made: Johnson
The book will debut at the Manila International Book Fair 2025, featuring a reading and signing session. Limited copies will be available at PaperKat Books Booth #2-122, SMX Convention Center, Pasay, Sept. 10 to 14.
‘The Rock’ finds new range in Venice debut ‘The Smashing Machine’
Dwayne Johnson (rightmost) with ‘The Smashing Machine’ director Benny Safdie (leftmost) and co-star Emily Blunt (center) at the Venice Film Festival
Mika’s
Very Wang Nickie Wang
A tale of two cities
THE weekend showed a tumult of fire and water in two giant metropolises in Southeast Asia. Protests erupted in Jakarta, and Manila was submerged in Old Testamenttype floods. Both of these are rooted in a massive distrust of government officials due to their familiar and expected capacity for corruption.
Jakarta and other Indonesian cities saw mass protests due to the news that Indonesian MPs, their version of lawmakers, are given a $3,000 monthly housing allowance. This is in contrast to the floundering citizenry amidst growing costs and their paltry salaries.
The Indonesian police made it worse when their armored vehicle ran over and killed a Gojek (their Grab ride) motorcyclist who was on his job. This rampant militarization of the police, coupled with corruption, set off protests from ordinary citizens to register their anger. Their president even dared to tell the citizens to calm down.
Indonesian plunderers and corrupt officials should take note of how their Filipino counterparts can get away with funneling not just billions, but trillions away. Impunity is an Olympic sport in the Philippines, where political families have developed a rigorous and experienced approach to lord over an exhausted people.
Last Saturday, several days’ worth of rainfall swept through Quezon City in just an hour. Some areas in QC were hit with floods that
VETERAN actor Pen Medina explores the cycles of life and the human condition in his first solo painting exhibit, Paikotikot Lang: (Human Condition.ed) The Prelude. Through eight works in progress, Medina meditates on the passage of time, the rhythm of everyday existence, and the enduring questions of humanity’s purpose.
On view until Sept. 12, the exhibit includes EDSA Loop (Paikot-ikot Lang), Selfie, Insects 1, Insects 2, Nay…, Pepe’s Light, Pepe’s Fight, Walang Himala, and Tattoed.
Although best known for his decadeslong acting career, Medina said painting has been his first love. He recalled spending his early years filling his father’s scrap office paper with pencil drawings and watercolors.
Primer
Chong Ardivilla
reached the heads of people. This was not a typhoon. This was just a cloudburst. Yet, it paralyzed traffic and caused property damage, despite a string of news reports about dastardly flood-controlling infrastructure.
This comes after recent weeks of people scrutinizing the TikToks of contractors’ children who flaunt their wealth online. Some say these are nepo babies. I prefer to call them plunder brats. And this is not something new to us. A cursory search online and at the library should provide you with some information from Some Are Smarter than Others by Ricardo Manapat, which explores a generational tract of monumental impunity.
I am compelled to compare the two cities. Jakarta is in turmoil for just $3,000. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, billions of dollars have
Urban blight is so normalized in the Philippines that even scenes like a worn stuffed bear propped on the roadside blend into the landscape of stalled infrastructure and poverty
been siphoned by political dynasties and their cronies, and what do Filipinos do with our anger? We post on Facebook, create TikTok parodies, and react with laughter or anger. This is what it’s like to have accepted our fates and let impunity exhaust us to submission.
I believe this is a legacy of the recent administration, which demonized critics and protest actions. Even though there is news of billions being frittered away, people still defend these politicians simply because many Filipinos are more mired in personality politics
than in agenda-setting and good governance. This is what the plunderers from above want, for us to bicker with each other and reduce our complaints to nothing more than irritants. We have been thirsting for a strongman recently, as history has proven that strongmen in power are gateways to massive plunder. But hey, according to the rabid fans of the powerful political families, history is just chismis?
You may reach Chong Ardivilla at kartunistatonto@gmail.com or chonggo.bsky. social
Emerging artists celebrate creativity and consciousness in dual exhibitions
FILIPINO artist Abe Orobia showcased emerging artistic talents in two recent exhibitions that highlighted the work of his mentees and explored the intersection of humanity, nature, and personal growth.
Orobia, known for his scenic, material-based paintings, staged the shows as a platform to introduce promising visual artists from Artelier, a student organization at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde that promotes traditional media and appreciation of the arts.
The first exhibit, Symbiosis, opened at J Studio in Makati City and examined the interconnectedness of humans and nature. “It focused on symbiotic relationships in nature— among animals, plants, and humans—and called for environmental awareness and activism,” Orobia said.
The show featured works by Alex Pandaraoan, Annjew, Cydney Shanelle, Daphne Co, Jessa Desoloc, Kirsten Dava, Mikhayla Harlea, and Roren Sy, who used metaphorical, symbolic, and allegorical themes while emphasizing materiality and sustainability in their mediums.
The second exhibit, Oubaitori, held at Nami Gallery in Quezon City, drew inspiration from Japanese philosophy on personal growth. The show highlighted individuality, encouraging artists to reflect on how “each flower has a different time to bloom.”
Featured artists included Co, Dava, Mary Joy Go, Cheryl Owen-Sobrepeña, Cydney Shanelle, Isaac Buenaflor, Roren Sy, and Rachel Holaysan, along with works by Orobia’s fellow mentors Judeo Herrera, Wellers, Bastee Orobia, and Bernard Cabugnason
As an educator and mentor, Orobia emphasized the importance of patience, discipline, and hard work. “An art career is a slow grind and a marathon of sorts; therefore, one must be consistent and dedicated,” he said. He
The exhibitions also encouraged students to address contemporary issues such as environmental protection and mental health through their work.
“These exhibitions aim not only to involve them in professional practice but also for their narratives to be heard with the possibility of inspiring fellow creatives and the general public,” Orobia said.
Orobia currently teaches under the Fine Arts Culture-Based Arts Program at Benilde. He previously lectured at the University of Santo Tomas and has conducted workshops at the Ayala Museum and for indigenous youth across the Philippines. His notable solo exhibitions include Images of Our Nation (2021) at the National
described his role as a guide, helping young artists nurture their passion and grow creatively.
The veteran actor-turned-painter showcases his passion for the arts through works like ‘EDSA Loop (Paikot-ikot Lang)’
Pen Medina’s ‘Insect 1’ reflects on time, existence, and humanity’s enduring questions
Cydney Shanelle presents her artworks for ‘Symbiosis,’
Kirsten Dava showcases her art pieces for Symbiosis at J Studio in Makati
Celebrated visual artist and educator Abe Orobia opens ‘Oubaitori’ at Nami Gallery with his mentees and peers
Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery, Unconquerable (Turn! Turn! Turn!) (2023) at Pinto Art Museum, and Spirit of the Wild (2025) at World Art Dubai. Awards include the Araw ng Makati Award (1991), Parangal ng Bayan at Malacañang Palace (1995), Bisig ng Kabataan Outstanding Filipino Achievers for Arts and Culture Award (1999), and recognition as a TOYM Honoree for Education, Arts, and Culture in 2021.
C4 LIFE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Negrense spirit takes center stage at a trade fair
By Angelica Villanueva
“HIMBON ,” a Hiligaynon word that means “to gather,” is the soul of this year’s Negros Trade Fair.
For Negrenses, it is a way of life where families gather over heirloom recipes, artisans share skills passed down through generations, and communities unite to face challenges with creativity and grace.
The word evokes the rhythm of a culture where food, craft, and kinship are inseparable, and where every creation tells a story of resilience. It is this collective spirit that continues to define Negros—rooted in heritage yet open to reinvention, steeped in tradition yet brimming with innovation.
That same spirit comes alive at the Negros Trade Fair, which will open this September with its biggest staging yet at SM Aura Premier and SMX Aura Convention Center in Taguig City.
Now in its 39th year, the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair expands its reach, welcoming participants from Negros Oriental and Siquijor alongside long-time exhibitors from Negros Occidental.
“What began in 1985 with just 30 entrepreneurs responding to a struggling sugar economy has grown into a vibrant showcase of craftsmanship and resilience. Today, we honor the fire they ignited by continuing to innovate and bringing world-class products to new audiences,” said Christina Gaston, president of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP).
Nearly four decades after its inception at the Makati Carpark, the fair has evolved into a cultural institution, featuring over 130 vendors across six categories: food, fashion, gifts and homeware, natural and organic products, furniture, and tourism.
Fairgoers can expect both familiar favorites and inventive new offerings—piaya reimagined with chorizo napoleones filled with pistachio, sneakers crafted from pineapple fibers, and jewelry fashioned from local silk. Even used Nespresso capsules have found new life as wall art, proof of the ingenuity that continues to fuel Negrense design.
For ANP vice president Mary Ann Colmenares, the event is a living expression of identity.
“The Negros Trade Fair is Negros in Manila. It’s where artisans and entrepreneurs come together to share stories, showcase heritage, and celebrate our creativity,” said Colmenares.
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan echoed the
THERE’S something about heading north that never fails to stir something in me. Maybe it’s the way the landscapes shift from cityscapes to open skies, or how the air grows cooler and the scenery more dramatic with every kilometer passed. Over the years, the North has become my escape, my playground, and my place of quiet rediscovery.
Whether it’s the misty mornings in Baguio, the golden fields of Tarlac, or the crashing waves of La Union, each northern journey feels like coming home to something familiar yet always full of surprises.
The North has been calling again, this time in Central Luzon, and I was more than ready to answer through the NLEX Lakbay Norte adventure.
There’s something magnetic about this region. From historic battlegrounds to sunkissed shores, the NLEX Lakbay Norte journey winds through the poignant history of Bataan, the vibrant waterside energy of Subic Bay, and the laid-back surf charm of Zambales—made effortlessly accessible by the country’s most scenic expressway, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
A road trip where every kilometer tells a story
For years, the NLEX Lakbay Norte program has been championing domestic travel by showcasing the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage, natural wonders, and unique flavors.
The 2025 edition promises an unforgettable experience: tracing Bataan’s legacy of courage, cruising into Subic Bay’s lively harbor, and soaking in the raw coastal beauty of Zambales— all connected by one seamless, scenic drive.
Bataan: History and coastal serenity
In Bataan, history stands proud at St. Dominic De Guzman Parish Church in Abucay, a 17thcentury treasure that has weathered centuries of change. After exploring its heritage, relax at Luces Living, a charming café where plant-based specialties meet cozy ambiance. For beachfront tranquility, Bayandati Resort in Morong offers serene stays just steps from the sand, while EGL Beach Resort delivers comfort with panoramic sea views.
A visit to the Pawikan Conservation Center offers a heartwarming glimpse into marine life preservation, including encounters with gentle sea turtles. And when hunger calls, locals will point you to Loleng’s Hu Tieuan, where VietnameseFilipino flavors fuse into unforgettable dishes.
statement, saying malls should serve as platforms for culture and connection. Himbon beautifully captures the spirit of gathering. We are proud to bring the richness of Negros to the heart of the Metro and ensure its stories thrive for generations to come,” Tan explained.
Beyond a marketplace, the fair has evolved into a launchpad for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, providing them with direct access to customers, potential distributors, and even export opportunities.
As Gaston put it, “It is a transformative marketplace.”
The 39th Negros Trade Fair: Himbon runs from Sept. 23 to Sept. 28 at SMX Aura Convention Center, inviting Metro Manila residents to gather, discover, and celebrate the enduring Negrense spirit.
Discover Central Luzon’s hidden gems in NLEX Lakbay Norte
Subic Bay: Sunset cruises and seaside thrills
Subic Bay buzzes with adventure. Set sail on a Sunset Cruise, where the golden light dances across calm waters, or swing into leisure at the Sunset Swing Golf Range with a backdrop of fiery skies. Dive into marine encounters at Ocean Adventure, enjoy hearty meals at Captain Jack’s, or aim for fun at The Range.
For a taste of Subic’s global dining scene, savor crab feasts at Crabs n Crack or Europeaninspired plates at Urban Deli. Rest easy at Travellers Hotel or Best Western Hotel, both offering modern amenities and easy access to the bay’s highlights.
Zambales: Coastal charm and local flavors
Further north, the surf town of Liw Liwa in San
Felipe welcomes visitors with its rustic beach cafés and friendly wave culture. In Botolan, Haya Nature Resort offers an eco-friendly haven surrounded by nature, perfect for slowing down and breathing in the fresh air.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sonia’s Sweets,
where the famous sesame candy is a must-try, or stop by The Bakery in Iba for a comforting plate of Inongotan rice with mango and a glass of refreshing mango calamansi juice—a true taste of Zambales in every bite. A journey that gives back
NLEX Lakbay Norte is more than a scenic escape. It is a boost for local economies and a celebration of the people, culture, and landscapes that make Central Luzon unforgettable. It’s a reminder that some of the country’s most remarkable adventures are just an expressway away.
SCTEX: Your gateway to the north’s best-kept secrets Spanning 94 kilometers, SCTEX connects Subic, Clark, and Tarlac, making it easy to explore the region. Along the way, you’ll pass emerald rice fields, rolling hills, and the Zambales mountains on smooth, well-maintained roads with modern facilities.
SCTEX is also a model for sustainable infrastructure. Energyefficient LED lights improve nighttime safety, solar-powered facilities reduce environmental impact, and rainwater harvesting at Floridablanca and Dinalupihan rest stops conserves resources. The result is a trip that is not only scenic but greener and safer.
Glazing Life
Glaiza Lee
From tableware to home accents, Negros artisans showcase design rooted in heritage
The 2025 Lakbay Norte offers tourists to an unforgettable experience—from tracing Bataan’s legacy to soaking in Zambales’ coastal beauty
Haya Nature Resort in Botolan, Zambales offers an eco-friendly haven, perfect for relaxation amidst nature and animals
Guests can enjoy a close encounter with sea lions in an interactive show at Ocean Adventure in Subic
Negrense artisans showcase timeless weaving, fashion, and design at the media launch
Heritage weaving and locally grown fibers take center stage in Negros’ sustainable fashion collections